It was the Washington Spirit who drew first blood in the 23rd minute, courtesy of a penalty kick awarded after a meticulous VAR review. Stepping up with confidence, Ashley Hatch made no mistake and converted the penalty, scoring her eighth goal of the season and giving the Spirit an early advantage.
However, San Diego Wave FC was not one to back down. The second half saw them come out firing on all cylinders, desperate to level the playing field. Their persistence paid off immediately as midfielder Jaedyn Shaw delivered a pinpoint corner kick just one minute into the half. In a moment that will forever be etched in her memory, Cheyenne Shorts, a defender, coolly found the back of the net, scoring her very first NWSL goal.
The match took another twist in the 54th minute when a ball played into the Wave's defensive area by Spirit midfielder Dorian Bailey caused mayhem. Amidst the chaos, an unfortunate own goal was conceded as the Wave desperately tried to clear the danger. The Spirit pounced on the opportunity, regaining the lead and leaving the Wave trailing once again.
With the clock ticking down and tension mounting, San Diego Wave FC summoned their fighting spirit for one last push. In the 90th minute, a crucial corner kick presented itself. In a moment of sheer brilliance, midfielder Taylor Kornieck, standing tall at 6'1", soared above the defense and scored with a powerful header.
The goal, expertly assisted by a precise corner kick from forward Kelsey Turnbow, marked Kornieck's first goal of the season and Turnbow's first assist of the season, rescuing a vital point for the Wave in the most dramatic fashion.
With the draw secured, San Diego Wave FC now looks ahead to a well-deserved bye weekend before facing Portland Thorns FC on July 21.
